"When we undertook this massive project, we hoped to exploit the large scale of the vessel by incorporating design concepts and facilities which have never before been possible on a cruise ship," said Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) chairman and CEO. "Today, we take pride in lifting the veil of secrecy we have tried to maintain about this great ship. We believe she will surprise and delight our guests for years and years to come."

Innovations on this 142,000-ton vessel, now under construction in Finland, range from enhanced cabins to expanded dining options to exceptional recreational facilities, as well as a variety of intimate spaces for private reflection or guest tete-a-tetes. Many of Voyager's dramatic areas have never before been created for cruise ships. They include:

The Royal Promenade: Cruising's First Horizontal Atrium

The length of two football fields, four decks high, and punctuated by two atria (The Centrums) up to 11 decks high, the Royal Promenade is evocative of the renowned Burlington Arcade in London.  With a wide selection of shops, restaurants and entertainment areas fronting on a winding street, the Royal Promenade will literally change in ambiance -- just as the day changes to night -- through the use of special lighting, coloring and other theatrical effects.  An endless variety of activities abound:

• Specialty shops galore, including jewelry, fashion wear, perfume, china, gifts, liquors, and others; Champagne Bar, intimate and sophisticated;
• Scoreboard, a sports bar for viewing favorite events past and present;
• Spinners, a revolving gaming arcade with the world's largest interactive roulette wheel, activated by a four-deck-high roulette ball tower;
• Crown Anchor pub, a social place to meet and chat with at-sea neighbors;
• The Captain's Balcony, arched across the Royal Promenade, is a majestic forum with a podium from which the Captain talks to the guests;
• Street festivities and performers, including Voyager's own version of Mardi Gras;
• Cleopatra's Needle, where all the fine entertainment guests expect from Royal Caribbean is presented -- and then some;
• Connoisseur Club, a place to savor favorite brandies or cigars.

Intimate Spaces

For a rendezvous, reading a good book, or just for a quiet drink, dinner, meditation or conversation, Voyager of the Seas provides lots of little nooks and crannies to change enormity to intimacy, along with special rooms whose cozy ambiance creates a sense of smallness away from the crowd:

• The quiet calm inside the twin-decked Library;
• Connoisseur Club, for brandy, fine ports or sherries, and cigars;
• Champagne Bar, an elegant area for fine drink, hors d'oeuvres and conversation;
• Seven Hearts, card and table games for "serious" amusement;
• Cloud Nine, a cocktail lounge for intimate imbibing;
• Crow's Nest, high above the sea, for a quiet observation of the elements;
• High Notes, a jazz club for aficionados who appreciate rhythm in small doses;
• Solarium, a quiet area designed to relax the spirit -- on the way into, or out of, the ShipShape Spa;
• Concierge Club, for those who expect unobtrusive service and attention in an exclusive venue;
• Aquarium Bar, with the calming quietness of a dramatic display of aquatic life;
• Portofino, a restaurant that's at once upscale and quietly exclusive for intimate dining.

Dining Choices

Voyager Of The Seas offers a variety of dining options, including a spectacular three-level main dining room with separate and distinct themed dining areas: Carmen, La Boheme and Magic Flute, all connected by a dramatic three-deck grand staircase.  Smaller dining rooms, Seville and Granada, adjoin Carmen dining room and are available for smaller parties.

• Cafe Promenade, for continental breakfast, all-day pizzas and specialty coffees;
• Windjammer, a mainstay on all Royal Caribbean vessels, for breakfast, lunch and dinner;
• Island Grill, for casual dinner, without reservations, featuring freshly grilled entrees and a display kitchen;
• Portofino, an upscale Euro-Italian restaurant, for dinner with reservations;
• SeaSide Diner, a 1950s all-night (and all-day) eatery featuring jukebox hits and indoor/outdoor seating; and
• Sprinkles, for ice cream and yogurt round-the-clock.

Dining options are not the only new introductions providing the ability to customize guests' cruising experience.  In addition to traditional Royal Caribbean features, Voyager will also introduce:

• La Scala Theater -- It may be impossible to secure tickets to the famed La Scala in Milan, but on Voyager of the Seas, La Scala is a stroll away, with great seating assured. This 1,350-seat theater was modeled to imitate one of the world's most acclaimed theater houses and to rival its sight lines and acoustics. Spanning five decks in height and offering state of the art production technology, the theater's hydraulic orchestra pit and stage areas, domed ceiling and above-stage fly space allow the most expansive of shows;
• Studio B, a 900-seat arena with telescopic seating, state-of the-art broadcasting facilities, and live high-tech shows. Its interactive, fast-paced productions will be upfront and personal, including variety shows, ice shows, game shows, and rock and roll performances. At other times, the seating and floor disappear and Studio B becomes a proper ice skating rink for the enjoyment of Voyager's guests;
• The Vault, rising beside a glass bridge spanning the Royal Promenade in the heart of Voyager, is a late night spot two decks high, pulsating with music and a state-of-the-art dance floor;
• High Notes, a jazz club sitting on top of Voyager's world, with nightly performances by feature entertainers;
• Schooner Bar, the most popular piano bar on every Royal Caribbean ship;
• Casino Royale, the largest casino on a cruise ship, celebrates Lady Luck with slots, table gaming, plus sports betting, and surrounds guests with chorus girls singing "We're in the Money!"

 Extraordinary Recreational Facilities

Not only does the ship feature the first rock-climbing wall at sea, but it has, by all accounts, the largest health center facility at sea. Recreational innovations include:

• Outdoor sports deck, complete with golf course, driving range, and golf simulators;
• National sized sports court, including basketball, paddle ball and volleyball;
• Rock-climbing wall;
• In-line skating track;
• Aerobics and health center, of unprecedented size -- over 15,000 square feet of workout, aerobics and guest-pampering spa facilities, plus another 10,000 square feet of Solarium relaxation -- easily the largest health and fitness complex afloat;
• Sea Quest, a dive and snorkel shop;
• 19th Hole, a golf bar for guests to cool off after their game.

• Aquanauts (3-5 year olds), featuring age-appropriate games, a colorful ball pit to expend youthful exuberance, plus cozy corners for napping and quiet time;
• Explorers (6-8 year group), with lots of interactive games on video-view periscopes and telescopes;
• Voyagers (9-12 years of age), excitement and drama in Mission Control's interactive virtual rockets, astronauts and their own "Space Theater";
• Optix, a dedicated space for Teens with a day/night club they can call their own, including computers, soda bar, DJ and dance floor;
• Challenger's Arcade, featuring an abundance of the latest virtual games available;
• Virtual Submarine, virtual reality underwater for all age groups;
• Computer Lab, 14 personal computer stations "loaded" with fun and games for kids' amusement and education;
• Paint and Clay, arts and crafts just for younger children;
• Kids Deck, a dedicated outdoor area for youngsters -- shuffleboard, deck checkers and tic-tac-toe, plus pedal vehicles for the younger  kids;
• Adventure Beach, an area designated for the special enjoyment of families, including swimming pools, a water slide and other water play features, with SeaSide Diner conveniently located nearby.

Voyager of the Seas' ability to cater to the needs of corporations and incentive groups is unrivaled.  The Conference Center provides an abundance of services:

• The cruise industry's largest conference area, with dedicated facilities seating up to 400 guests, converting into six large breakout rooms of unprecedented flexibility, plus an executive boardroom, a multi-media screening room, and cross utilization of other facilities capable of providing up to 1,350 seats;
• State-of-the-art equipment systems, with wireless control of audio-visual equipment, sound, light, and even the temperature of the room;
• Tele-video conferencing and classroom training facilities;
• Dedicated reception and pre-function areas;
• Large floor space to accommodate exhibition/trade shows when connected to Studio B;
• Business Services, to provide guests and groups with any business need from typing, copying, computer access, and even private offices.

Every stateroom in every category has been generously increased to provide the extra space where it is valued the most.  Almost 50 percent of staterooms have balconies, more than any other ship.  Beds are larger and more comfortable.  Closets are bigger with expanded storage flexibility.  Overall floor space has been expanded.  Bathroom amenities and decorative appointments are also enhanced.  Every stateroom has a mini-bar, hair dryer and 19-inch TV.

Unparalleled Crew Facilities

 Also reported earlier was the unparalleled amount of space for Voyager's crew.  Although the ship is spectacular in its own right, what really sets a Royal Caribbean cruise apart from other vacations is the friendly service provided by its officers and crew.  With a recreation deck, two whirlpools, three dining facilities, a gym, and a disco, the crew space on the Voyager of the Seas exceeds that of any other cruise ship.  Royal Caribbean has even dedicated space on its two private out-island destinations for the exclusive use of crew members.

Other Weird and Wonderful Things And if all this wasn't already enough, guests will also find:

• Peek-A-Boo Bridge where guests gather above the wheelhouse to watch the team "driving" and navigating Voyager of the Seas;
• An ice-skating rink with its own zamboni;
• A florist shop;
• An Aquarium Bar featuring about 50 tons of glass and water in four huge aquariums valued at over a million dollars;
• A Wedding Chapel in the sky;
• Broadcasts created especially for guests' portable radios by Voyager's own station RCTV production team.